The fight card for the July Bellator x Rizin event continues to come together with the addition of two more matchups featuring four Top-10 fighters.
Bellator X Rizin Fight Card Adds Two Top-10 Matches
The return of Bellator to Japan this summer continues to fill up. Two new bouts have been added to the Bellator x Rizin event scheduled for July 30 (July 29 in the United States) in Saitama, Japan.
In the bantamweight division, Danny Sabatello takes on Magomed Magomedov, while Andrey Koreshkov and Lorenz Larkin square off in the welterweight ranks.
The card is headlined by Patricky Pitbull and AJ McKee meeting in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. Also, the first flyweight champion will be crowned when Kyoji Horiguchi takes on Makoto Shinryu.
Danny Sabatello Looks To Cement Status
For Sabatello, this is another opportunity to prove his standing in the division. The former NCAA Div. I wrestling standout is coming off a victory over Marcos Breno from this past April.
Magomedov will be competing for the first time this year and looks to add Sabatello’s name to a resume that includes a win over former UFC champion Petr Yan.
Lorenz Larkin Can Add To Unbeaten Run
Over his last eight fights, Larkin is unbeaten, having picked up seven wins during that time to show he is worthy of being on the short list of contenders. Earlier this year, he finished Mukhamed Berkhamov in Los Angeles.
Koreshkov, who dropped a split decision to Larkin, is a former champion who has posted a strong 15-4 record within the promotion. Of those, eight have been knockout wins.
Bellator X Rizin Fight Card
BELLATOR X RIZIN: Pitbull vs. McKee:
Sunday, July 30 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan
SHOWTIME (U.S.) – July 29 at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT
Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinals: #2-Patricky Pitbull (24-11) vs. #5-AJ McKee (20-1)
Inaugural Flyweight World Championship: Kyoji Horiguchi (16-9) vs. Makoto “Shinryu” (16-1-1)
Bantamweight Bout: #5-Danny Sabatello (14-2) vs. #4-Magomed Magomedov (19-3)
Flyweight Bout: #3-Kana Watanabe (11-2-1) vs. #7-Veta Arteaga (7-5)
Welterweight Bout: #5-Andrey Koreshkov (26-4) vs. #9-Lorenz Larkin (25-7, 2 NC)
